Trey Henderson: Love of performing carried into college

Last spring, both Trey Henderson, 19, and his younger brother, Cameron, graduated from Ridgeview High School in Orange Park.

Cameron Henderson, who wants to act professionally, moved on to college at the Florida School of the Arts.

Trey Henderson, born with Down syndrome, a congenital disorder in which chromosomal abnormalities result in highly variable physical problems and learning difficulties, wanted to go to college as well, said his mother, Sherri Henderson.

A relatively new program at the University of North Florida gave him the chance. The On Campus Transition Program lets young adults with developmental disabilities participate in the college experience.

The 21 students in the program attend some regular classes, go to other classes designed specifically for them and join various clubs and organizations.

Trey lives in an off-campus apartment with a couple of roommates. After spending his first week living on "Pringles and pudding," he's learned to microwave nutritious dinners for himself every night, his mom said.

He is splitting his campus time between the classroom, the student game room, and the On Campus Transition Program's offices.

Trey Henderson, like his brother, has always enjoyed performing. He got his start playing one of Santa's elves at the Orange Park Mall, moved on to the role of the Easter bunny at The Avenues mall and eventually became the mascot for the Ridgeview Panthers.

So when he got to UNF, he inquired about the mascot's job. The job of Ozzie the Osprey, a paid position, was already filled. But there was an opening for Ozzie's sidekick, Harriet the Osprey.

Trey Henderson said he likes being mascot because he can "hide" inside the costume and avoid being stared at by "people who want to look at me because I'm different."

He said he wants to accompany his brother to New York, where Cameron can work as an actor while Trey starts a mascot business.

He has gotten to know Curtis Dvorak, who performs as the Jacksonville Jaguars' mascot, Jaxson de Ville, and gets regular phone calls from Dvorak, offering tips and encouragement, Trey said.

When the Jaguars played the Houston Texans this year, Trey Henderson was in the stands, watching as Jaxson climbed to the top of a light tower, then crossed over top of the stadium on a wire, eventually lowering himself onto the field.

"Trey told me, 'I want to do that,' " his mother said. "I told him, 'OK, just as long as I don't have to watch.' "